A Zilla Parishad school in Korade Dere hamlet of Bori Budruk in Junnar taluka is seeking urgent safety measures after increased leopard movement was reported around the school premises, raising concerns for students, teachers and parents. Local residents have submitted a proposal to the education department and the Zilla Parishad demanding the immediate construction of a protective wall around the school.
Korade Dere is a rural area surrounded by extensive sugarcane cultivation, a landscape in which leopards and other wild animals are commonly reported to move, according to the report by Sakal – Pune. Residents said the animals’ movement near the school has created fear among students, parents and teachers, particularly because the school campus currently has no boundary wall.
The demand is for a strong protective wall around the school compound to create a safer area for children attending classes. Residents have also sought the clearing of overgrown vegetation around the premises, installation of lighting at necessary locations and regular monitoring of leopard movement by the Forest Department.
The issue highlights the difficulty of maintaining basic safety infrastructure for rural schools located close to agricultural fields and wildlife movement corridors. In this case, the responsibility for addressing the concern cuts across several agencies, including the village panchayat, the education department, the Zilla Parishad and the Forest Department.
Residents have called for coordinated action rather than a response limited to wildlife surveillance. A boundary wall could restrict direct access to the school campus, while vegetation clearance and lighting could improve visibility around the premises. However, the report does not specify whether funding for the wall has been sanctioned, the proposed cost, or a timeline for construction.
The school also faces a separate roadside problem. The Jabout Phata-Belhe highway runs close to the campus, bringing vehicle movement and road dust near the school. Residents said the dust is causing inconvenience to students and could affect their health, and they have asked the administration to address this issue along with the leopard-related safety concerns.
The demands have been raised by school management committee president Vishal Korde, Ajit Dere and other local residents. They have urged the authorities to provide the necessary funds and begin construction of the protective wall at the earliest. The village panchayat, education department, Zilla Parishad and Forest Department are expected to consider the requested safety measures and coordinate the next steps.
